Exploring visual journalism

The Rat Catchers of New York

The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin.

(Photos by Mike Segar/Reuters)

Tanner (R), a Border Terrier, kills a rat as Catcher (L), a Bedlington Terrier, looks on during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Tanner, a Border Terrier, kills a rat during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Richard Reynolds, (2nd R) and other members of the Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S), hunt for rats on New York’s Lower East Side in Manhattan July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

A New York City Police patrol car passes as Richard Reynolds, (L) founding member of the Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S) looks on and his Bedlington Terrier, Catcher, stands on a pile of garbage bags during an organized rat hunt in New York City July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Catcher (L), a Bedlington Terrier, and Tanner (R), a Border Terrier, hunt for rats in a small park on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Catcher (R), a Bedlington Terrier, pulls on his leash during an organized hunt for rats with the Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society in New York City July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Richard Reynolds (L), founding member of the Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society, stands with others during an organized rat hunt on New York’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Merlin, a Border Terrier, stands by a dead rat which he killed during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Merlin, a Border Terrier, chews on a dead rat which he killed during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Judy stands by as her Border Terrier Merlin searches for rats during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Merlin, a Border Terrier, hunts for rats in a dumpster as his owner Judy looks on, during an organized rat hunt on New York’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Richard Reynolds (L), a founding member of the Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society, uses a flashlight to look for rats in a dumpster as Judy (R) and her Border Terrier Merlin stand by, ready to make a kill, during an organized rat hunt on New York’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Bill leads his dog Paco, a Feist Terrier, though a vacant lot near trash dumpsters during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Merlin, a Border Terrier, stands over a dead rat he killed during an organized rat hunt on New York City’s Lower East Side July 25, 2014. The Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a group of enthusiasts who take their dogs out to hunt rats in New York City. Members of the independent group venture out on night-time excursions to allow their dogs to do what they do best: hunt and kill vermin. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

The Darkroom offers Facebook and WordPress commenting in the hopes of fostering constructive conversation among our users. Please abide by our
Terms of Service when commenting on the site.

Categories

ABOUT THE DARKROOM

The Darkroom, the photography and video blog of The Baltimore Sun, shines a light on visually captivating stories of our past and present. It showcases the exciting work of our staff, offers tips in the craft, and highlights the emerging community of independent media makers. We want your feedback – please contact us with suggestions and ideas.